Sweden to help Ukraine reform its waste management system under European standards

MOSCOW. Oct 9 (Interfax) - The Swedish government has launched a new technical assistance project for Ukraine titled "Strengthening Municipal Waste Management for 2024-2027," Ukrainian media reported, citing the Ukrainian Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ministry.

"Sweden's experience and expertise in waste management are difficult to overestimate and they are truly valuable for our country on the way to the EU and the practical results of the reform that has started," Ukrainian Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Svetlana Grinchuk said in a statement on the ministry's website.

She discussed the key areas of cooperation within the project with representatives of the Swedish embassy in Ukraine, the Swedish Waste Management Association Avfall Sverige, an organization that deals with local government and represents Swedish municipalities Salar International, as well as the project team.

As reported, "Strengthening of Municipal Waste Management in Ukraine for 2024-2027" is a multi-year comprehensive international technical assistance program that will be implemented by Avfall Sverige and Salar International.

"Swedish experts analyzed the waste situation in Ukraine and identified areas of cooperation. And in July of this year, the program was approved by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency SIDA," she said.

It is noted that the program will consist of ten components implemented at the national and regional levels. For instance, new approaches to tariff formation in the field of waste management, the introduction of the "polluter pays" principle in Ukraine, and waste management planning in line with European standards are among them. In particular, assistance to regions in developing regional and local plans.

The processing of biological waste is among the components that the project will deal with. According to expert estimates, 4%-5% of the world's gas volumes are generated at Ukrainian landfills. This figure can be halved if the appropriate equipment is installed at 400-500 of the largest Ukrainian landfills, and if the assistance is provided through certain equipment from Swedish municipalities to Ukrainian ones, with the possibility of attracting other European countries, etc.